Sustainability initiatives have brought the problematic carbon footprint of propellants in pressurised Metered Dose Inhalers (pMDIs) into sharp relief. A shift to low carbon pMDIs that incorporate alternative, low Global Warming Potential (GWP) propellants is underway. However, successfully transitioning to new propellants is not as simple as swapping one ingredient out for another. Drug formulations and device components go hand in hand and must be considered holistically to ensure Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) for the product are met. 

This is especially true for the metering valve, which is crucial for delivering consistent doses and protecting the formulation. Optimising valve design for compatibility with low GWP propellants is a key step in the industry’s green transition, and one that can be significantly accelerated by an experienced partner. Bespak, a CDMO with a long legacy of developing and manufacturing pMDIs, has been working hard to optimise its valve technology ahead of the transition.